Building the White Whale (SaturnICL's build)

**SaturnICL** · 06-23-2009, 11:27 PM

Ok here we go

1999 WJ, 4.7, Limited Quadradrive 90000 miles, Rusty's 2 1/2" springs and 2" pucks

new to me 3/21/09:

First Mod Project "Eliminate droopy drawers!" :
The best tool ever built!

Cut tire tub leaving approx 1"

Drilled 2" and 1" holes for fill and vent tubes

Placed Jack under driver side of tank. Cut and clearanced factory tank pan by cutting at the bottom of unibody sudo frame. There is a gap in the pan for the hoses to run through. I cut that down 2" to clear the new location of the fill tubes.

**SaturnICL** · 06-23-2009, 11:35 PM

I raised jack and let the pan/skid sides slide up past uni-frame until it stopped on the cargo floor. I used a few zip screws to hold in place while I drilled and installed a few 1/4" x 1" bolts and bolted the skid pan to the uni-frame.

Re- installed hoses though new holes.

Looking up from underneath!

**SaturnICL** · 06-23-2009, 11:40 PM

Moved to the other side and removed exhaust shield and cut exhaust behind Cat!
Repeat cut, lift and bolt

Viola I can see my rear diff!

FortCollinsZJ · 06-23-2009, 11:43 PM

Cool. Good to see a build that doesnt start with "installed the BB"

That gas tank lift seems to be a must for WJ's. cool mod, hopefull more will come? I like builds where folks arent afraid to cut some metal on the Jeep.

**Jones** · 06-23-2009, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FortCollinsZJ

Cool. Good to see a build that doesnt start with "installed the BB"

That gas tank lift seems to be a must for WJ's. cool mod, hopefull more will come? I like builds where folks arent afraid to cut some metal on the Jeep.

I saw this jeep in person in Moab, trust me, there is a lot more to come.

**SaturnICL** · 06-23-2009, 11:49 PM

Now to fill the hole:
I cut 4" off the spare tire tub. Cut some relief cuts due to the pan being tapered and now it is smaller than the hole.

Due to no desire to weld over a plastic fuel tank and wanting to be able to remove the tub if needed to replace the sending unit and etc. I used zip screws to re-install the tub, silicone and Alumatape to seal it

Now I have a storage place for my recovery gear and tire iron etc.

Where did it GO?

**SaturnICL** · 06-23-2009, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -ZJones-

I saw this jeep in person in Moab, trust me, there is a lot more to come.

LOL thanks

**SaturnICL** · 06-23-2009, 11:58 PM

Fender trim

OK Big fender CUT!

Before:

I started with (The best tool ever made)

And taped off the cut line.

gatorayde · 06-24-2009, 12:02 AM

That's a lot of trimming to fit those 29's

**SaturnICL** · 06-24-2009, 12:03 AM

On the back I left 1/2" from the door opening and folded it over pinching the inner fender between the door opening and the fold. I used a ball peen hammer and a 2lb sledge as a backer to hammer it together tight! (my neighbors hated me that weekend!)

**SaturnICL** · 06-24-2009, 12:10 AM

I folded the iner-fender out 1/2" and overlaped the outer hammering them together so the edge of the fender is smooth in case the tire or a hand contacts it.

**SaturnICL** · 06-24-2009, 12:13 AM

Rear difference:

gatorayde · 06-24-2009, 12:15 AM

Jesus christ, resize your pics. Even on my 22" monitor those look big.

FortCollinsZJ · 06-24-2009, 12:16 AM

Holy Gigantic Pictures Batman!!!!

**SaturnICL** · 06-24-2009, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorayde

Jesus christ, resize your pics. Even on my 22" monitor those look big.

Sorry I don't have a photo editor I'll upload them to Photobucket